Niang, Tuttle and White are finalists for Karl Malone Award

Iowa State junior forward Georges Niang, University of Iowa senior Aaron White and Northern Iowa senior Sth Tuttle have been named finalists for the 2015 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award. The annual honor in its inaugural year recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men’s college basketball and is presented by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Niang, Tuttle and White are three of 16 candidates on the list, which is selected by a national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel.

Niang has proven his worth as one of the most versatile big men in college basketball. The Methuen, Massachusetts, native is averaging 14.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He is one of just 19 players nationally averaging at least 14 points, five boards and three assists. Since conference play started, Niang has hit 45 percent of his 3-point attempts, which ranks fifth in the Big 12. He is the only non-guard ranked among the league’s top 10 3-point shooters in league play. Niang is one of only 25 players, and the nation’s only junior, with 1,300 points, 400 rebounds and 250 assists in their career.

White ranks third in the Big Ten in rebounding (6.0 rpg) and 11th in scoring (14.6 ppg). He is seeking to become the first Hawkeye in nine years to finish the season leading the team in scoring and rebounding (Greg Brunner in 2006). White is one of only two active Division I players (Oklahoma’s TaShawn Thomas), and the only Hawkeye ever, with 1,650+ points, 825+ rebounds, 175+ assists, and 125+ steals. The native of Strongsville, Ohio, is also the only Division I player to shoot better than 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line the last two seasons. White ranks sixth in Iowa career rebounding (826), seventh in scoring (1,666), 13th in double-doubles (13), and first in free throws made (563) and attempted (736).

By early March, the current list of 16 finalists for the 2015 Karl Malone Award will be narrowed down to five players. The final five players in contention for the award will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The winner of the 2015 Karl Malone Award will be presented at ESPN’s new College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy’s from Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California, on Friday, April 10. The show will be televised live on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. (CST).

2015 Karl Malone Award Candidates

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona

Justin Moss, Buffalo

Kevon Looney, UCLA

Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga

David Laury, Iona

Aaron White, Iowa

Georges Niang, Iowa State

Perry Ellis, Kansas

Jordan Mickey, Louisiana State

Montrezl Harrell, Louisville

Jake Layman, Maryland

Christian Wood, UNLV

Seth Tuttle, Northern Iowa

Myles Turner, Texas

Larry Nance Jr., Wyoming

Rico Gathers, Baylor